Mumbai attackers will be tried if evidence is provided: Zardari

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday made it clear if India provided evidence against elements in Pakistan for carrying out the Mumbai attacks, the accused will be tried in Pakistani courts.

"I will definitely look into all the possibilities based on any evidence that is given to us. At the moment these are just names of individuals. No proof, no investigation, nothing has been brought forward," Zardari told CNN in a live interaction from Islamabad.

"If proof of individuals' involvement is provided, we will try them in our courts, we will try them in our lands, and we will sentence them," he responded when asked about Pakistan's line of action after Delhi's demand that around 20 fugitives who allegedly live in Pakistan be handed over for trial.

India has blamed elements based in Pakistan, especially Lashkar-e-Taiba, for carrying out the Mumbai terror attacks.

List of people

Pakistan's ambassador to Delhi was summoned by the Indian Foreign Ministry on Monday and handed a list of 20 people India called fugitives. The list presumably includes the Lashkar chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, as well as Maulana Masood Azhar and Dawood Ebrahim.

"Lashkar is a banned organisation in Pakistan and around the world," Zardari said, adding: "if indeed they are involved, we would not know. They are people who operate outside the system.

"The state of Pakistan is in no way responsible. Even the White House and American CIA have admitted that today [yesterday]. We are also victims. I am a victim. The state of Pakistan is a victim. We are victims of this war, and I am sorry for the Indians, I feel sorry for them," Zardari added.

Indian officials charge that the lone surviving attacker of the Mumbai carnage is of Pakistani origin. Indian investigators have told the media they believe all ten attackers were Pakistanis who travelled by sea to reach Mumbai, a claim Pakistan rejected while asking India for proof.

Asked about the suspect is in custody, Zardari said he had not been given tangible proof to say that he is definitely a Pakistani. "I very much doubt it."

See also Pages 29 & 30

Islamabad (Reuters) The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff arrived in Islamabad yesterday as part of US diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions between Pakistan and India after last week's attacks on Mumbai.

Admiral Mike Mullen flew in for talks with Pakistan's eight-month-old civilian government and military officials hours after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in New Delhi for talks with the Indian leadership.

"He'll be meeting with government officials and counterparts on regional issues," said Lou Fintor, a spokesman for the US Embassy.

Rice is expected to go to Islamabad later in the week, according to officials.

The attack has sparked fears that the two nuclear-armed neighbours could slide towards a fourth war since independence from Britain in 1947 unless cool heads prevail.